DSTO features prominently at MAST Asia 2015

Five DSTO papers were delivered last week in Yokohama at the Maritime and Systems Technology (MAST) Asia conference, the first ever defence event held in Japan.

The conference and accompanying trade exhibition at the Pacifico Convention Centre attracted delegates and presenters from 12 European nations and four Asian countries as well as Australia, UK, USA and Canada.

Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky presented at a packed feature session on International Naval research and development (R&D) Programmes with Dr Hideaki Watanabe, Director General of Japan’s Technical Research and Development Institute, and Dr Patricia Gruber, Technical Director of the Office of Naval Research Global, USA. The session was chaired by DSTO’s Dr Janis Cocking who was also a member of the MAST Technical Conference Committee.

The DSTO presenters from the organisation’s Maritime Division included Dr Kevin Gaylor, Leo de Yong, Matthew Koo, Dr Yong Zhang and Dr Ping Cao. Their presentation topics, which ranged from submarine combat systems and stealth technology to underwater acoustics, were well received during the 3 day event (13-15 May).

Naval Technology

DSTO also participated in the trade exhibition under the Team Defence Australia banner, showcasing research in hydrodynamics, autonomous mine countermeasures and fibre optic towed arrays. Seven Australian companies and the Australian Industry Defence Network were represented at the Team Defence Australia stand which was one of the largest among the 60 exhibits.

With the theme of ‘Security at Sea in a Dynamic World’, MAST Asia 2015 was officially opened by Professor Satoshi Morimoto, a former Japanese Minister of Defence and MAST Asia Chairman. The opening featured a keynote address by Vice Admiral Robert L. Thomas, Commander of the US Navy 7th Fleet. The Australian Department of Defence was a technical sponsor of MAST Asia 2015.